Problem gambling has tremendous adverse consequences for the gambler, their families, and the community. Australians lose more than $25 billion to gambling every year, and during the Covid Pandemic online gambling has significantly increased with access to pubs, casinos and sporting events limited. Genuine gambling reform is an issue governments can no longer shy away from. In the online gambling world, regulation is virtually non-existent, yet regulation can be an effective tool to address gambling issues.
Currently, each of Australia's states and territories separately regulate gambling activities within each of their respective jurisdictions, to varying degrees. In addition, there are federal laws which cover certain aspects of gambling activity throughout Australia. Offshore gambling activities however, are considerably lacking in regulation and oversight.
The Australian Greens support greater regulation of the gambling industry to minimise harms of problem and predatory gambling. This includes the establishment of a properly resourced National Gambling Regulator and a crackdown on dangerous and addictive gambling advertising particularly in children’s viewing times and on SBS. These measures would go a long way to minimising gambling harm especially for our kids and most vulnerable members of our community.